Attack on Myanmar-Bangladesh border construction work

Security forces stationed to supervise Myanmar-Bangladesh border fencing work in Buthidaung township in Myanmar's Rakhine state came under attack from the Arakan Army (AA), an ethnic armed group, officials said on Sunday.

The 200-strong AA members launched the attack from the Bangladesh side separately on Saturday afternoon between the border posts BP-67 and BP-68, Xinhua news agency reported, quoting the Office of Commander-in Chief of the Defence Services of Myanmar.

Myanmar security forces have warned of a military operation against the AA for safeguarding the territory as well as the lives and properties of the people.

The Myanmar-Bangladesh border fence construction work is underway since 2010, under four phases to prevent illegal entry from the country's western gate. Fencing work on 206.64 km, up to Fence Number 67, has been completed, the military headquarters said.

Meanwhile, the AA also attacked a village police outpost in Ponnagyun township, Myanmar's Rakhine state, on Saturday night, killing nine policemen, mostly officers, and injuring two others. One policeman is missing.

The attack on the Yo Ta Yoke village police outpost came from three directions. The AA took away some weapons of the security forces, an official of the Rakhine state police headquarters said.

--IANS

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